She's 5!

I can't believe I have a five year old; my princess is growing way too fast. She is unbelievably funny, sassy, and pure joy...a blessing beyond all blessings as my first born. Mis EJ had a horrible virus for almost a week, but by the time her party came around on Sunday she was much much better.

Her favorite gift was the Barbie Doll house Grandpa Mike made her. It turned out awesome and she plays with it a lot already. Wish I would have got her smile when she saw it for the first time, but it's a treasure. I Love things my Daddy makes...

Stuffed Pepper Soup

This pic isn't the greatest, but it does thicken up more after you add the rice.

2# Ground Beef
2-2 1/2 Cups Chopped Green Pepper (I use 2 whole peppers)
1/2 C Chopped Onion
2 Quarts Water (I use my home canned tomato juice)
1 28 oz can Tomato Sauce (use canned tomato juice here too)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes Undrained (I like Petite Diced)
3-5 Bouillon Cubes
1/2 C Packed Brown Sugar (dark Brown sugar is best)
1-2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Pepper
2-2 1/2 Cups Instant Rice or Cooked Long Grain (I use 2)

Brown Meat, Pepper, and Onion. In a Pot Mix Water, Sauce, Tomotoes, Bouillon, Sugar, Salt and Pepper. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, Add Meat Mixture and Boil 5 more Minutes. Take off Burner and Add Rice.

Slow Cooker Version- I do this a lot- After you cook meat mixture...dump all ingriediants in the slow cooker and cook on low all day until ready to eat. I do this a lot on the weekends, or sometimes I do the Pot method and then put the soup in the slow cooker to cook all day on Monday while at work. Sometimes you have to add a little more juice to it depending on how thick you like the soup.

This makes a big batch. Sometimes I put some of it in the freezer and when I take it out for a quick supper I just add more of my canned tomato juice.

This is such a good, filing soup!

(Barb, I promise I listed all the ingredients! :) )

A Glimpse of Last Week....

We spent 3/12 glorious days with our special Family in FL and it was just perfect! We were truly blessed.

Here are a few pics (not in any kind of order)....

Roasted Veggies & This and That

So much for posting a recipe once a week! Woa...life is throwing me right now.

Here is a simple thing we have once to twice a week with some sort of meat (no bread) as a huge side dish (filler).

Take 4-5 different veggies, cut in bite size pieces, and toss in Olive Oil and oregano. The amount of oregano and Olive Oil depends on how many veggies you roast. I do a lot so about 2 tsp of oregano and just make sure the olive oil lightly coats the veggies.

Line Jelly Roll pan with Foil, spread out veggies, and then lightly salt the top. I tend to use Onion Salt or Garlic Salt.

Put in oven at 400 degrees and cook to the crispy tenderness you like. It's usually about 20-25 minutes.

Veggie Combinations: This usually depends on the cost of veggies at the time and if I need something green I will put my frozen green beans I did up this year in. I always use grape tomatoes, carrot, and onion. Then I will add either, red, yellow, or orange pepper. I either use asparagus or green beans for my green color, but have used zucchini too. I have even tossed frozen cauliflower in. Really it doesn't matter what you throw together it all has turned out for me.

Now on to pics...

These are pics of things we do when we are going stir crazy being indoors.

Yes, I let my kids play with the couch cushions and jump on my bed...all supervised of course!



They love to paint... (And yes the date on my camera is still very messed up!)




Our church has started a faith legacy series and the first session was for parents of 2 year olds. It was pretty good, and pretty important to learn and talk with other parents on how to raise your child spiritually even at 2.

Last Sunday we all presented our children with picture bibles and spoke a blessing. Now when you look at the pics you need to remember that these are 2 year olds. Church was a little long, Mo was teething, and well this is the best we got for pics. I love em! :)




On the 24th of January Ms. EJ had her annual visit to the heart Dr. It went very well, she didn't freak out as in the past and she received a VERY GOOD report. We go again next year and if all still looks great she will not have to go again! YAY JESUS!

This is me and my sweetie before we left....

One Day, One Click...Makes a HUGE Difference!

Go Here for details...please! We did it! My daughter is Guatemalan and this is one way to help those who are living in an orphange or cannot afford school.

God Bless!

Crockpot Chicken with Salsa

All last year I kept thinking I needed to post recipes that are easy, healthy, cheap, and if need be things you can prepare on the weekends for the next week. I work full time and this has become a huge thing for me. I am great at multi-tasking, but not great at organizing. I am becoming a lot better at this and wanted to share.

In 2012 my goal is to try and post recipes, hopefully at least once a week, for the busy Mom or Wife.

My little chef’s are bringing to you today a recipe that has made 4 different meals/appetizer for me. I think I originally got this recipe Here, but have made other things out of it since then.



Crockpot Chicken for Taco’s and Enchilada’s

Watch the ad’s for sales on chicken breasts. Around here they run them quite a bit and I have a lot of freezer space, so I buy a few packages and toss them in.

Put 6 Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Slow Cooker

*I may put the frozen breasts in the fridge before bed, or just defrost them enough so I can pry them apart in the morning, but they are basically still frozen when I put them in.

*6 Breasts makes a ton of meat shredded up. You could always cut this in half if you don’t want a lot left over.

Take 3 pints of salsa and dump over the breasts

*I have homemade canned salsa at home that I use. If you don’t have canned salsa just buy your favorite salsa. You may not need 3 jars; just make sure the chicken is covered well.

Turn the slow cooker on low all day. I have mine on from 7 a.m. until almost 5 p.m.

Take the chicken out and shred with 2 forks. The chicken shreds beautifully and is very moist. Put the shredded meat back in the crock pot and keep it on warm.

For Taco’s

Take the meat and drain some off the juice and serve with corn or flour tortillas and your favorite toppings.

For Enchilada’s

Lightly fry corn tortillas in Olive Oil for a few seconds on each side, and put on plate with paper towels to drain. Place the chicken in the tortillas and roll. Place in 9 x 13 or larger pan depending on how much meat you have. Pour Red Enchilada sauce over top, I usually use 2 cans, and put shredded cheese on top. Place in 350 degree oven until cheese is golden brown and sauce is bubbling. Again top with your favorite items. They take about 30 minutes in the oven.

Appetizer Dip

If we still have some of this yummy chicken left and we are tired of eating it, I will place the small portion in the freezer and then pull it out when I need an appetizer. I then combine it with Velveeta Cheese, and some more salsa and place in one of my small crocks for an awesome dip on corn chips. If you have some extra black beans around you could throw those in too or corn is good too.

The Final way we eat this chicken…there are times when my husband and I are watching how much “bread” we eat.. so a lot of times I will just take the plain meat and sour cream to work and eat it with no chips or tortilla’s. It is very yummy, satisfying, and filling.

Now as a teaser to you and a way to keep me motivated there are things in these recipes that I make (salsa, black beans, and freezer corn) that you will have to watch for the recipes or methods of cooking or freezing.

More and more I am trying to steer away from store bought canned products and making my own food because I feel it is healthier and cheaper.

Enjoy!

(another goal of mine is to fix the date and time on my camera!) :)

Oh, Hello 2012!

So if anyone actually reads this blog we are still alive, and I have had many thoughts and things I have wanted to post, but zero time. So I do plan to start posting again, and hope in the next week I can. At any rate...these two cuties would like to say Hello!